On Sunday night, a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a small dog in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco. The collision occurred around 8 p.m. at the intersection of Scott and Eddy streets. A family riding in the vehicle reported the incident on Reddit, expressing their concern and efforts to contact emergency services.
Details of the Incident
According to a Waymo spokesperson, the vehicle made contact with the dog, which was described as weighing between 20 to 30 pounds. The company emphasized its commitment to learning from this incident to enhance road safety. However, the status of the dog remains unclear, as no updates have been provided following the accident.
- Incident Date: Sunday night, around 8 p.m.
- Location: Intersection of Scott and Eddy streets, San Francisco
- Dog Size: Approximately 20 to 30 pounds
Public Reaction and Previous Incidents
This incident follows a similar event where a Waymo vehicle killed a cat named KitKat in the Mission District, which also garnered significant media attention. In response, Jackie Fielder, the Mission District supervisor, called for state legislators to consider letting voters decide the future of autonomous vehicles in their neighborhoods.
The passenger who initially reported the dog incident mentioned hearing yelping just before the impact. According to a 311 report filed at 8:25 p.m., there was heightened concern from the public, leading to a gathering of bystanders at the intersection.
Next Steps and Waymo’s Response
Waymo has since reached out to the Reddit user who reported the incident to offer assistance. They stated they would send team members to the area to locate the dog’s owner and provide necessary veterinary services. As of Monday afternoon, the 311 complaint remains open, according to San Francisco Animal Care and Control.
